Worn or dirty fuel level sensor contacts inside the fuel tank sending unit; Damaged or chafed wiring between the fuel tank and the chassis, often at flex points; Corroded or loose electrical connector at the fuel tank or fuel pump module; Failed fuel level sensor float or arm mechanism binding on the tank internals; Poor ground connection for the fuel level circuit; Faulty fuel pump module assembly with an integrated sensor; Rarely, a PCM internal fault on the fuel level input circuit

DTC codes / P04xx · Auxiliary emission controls / P0464

P0464Fuel Level Sensor 'A' Circuit Intermittent

Q: What does code P0464 mean?

Fuel Level Sensor 'A' Circuit Intermittent. P0464 means the engine computer (PCM) sees the fuel level sensor 'A' signal dropping out or jumping erratically instead of changing smoothly as fuel is consumed or added. The PCM monitors the sensor voltage over time and flags the circuit as intermittent when the reading momentarily disappears or spikes outside the expected range.

P0464 means the engine computer (PCM) sees the fuel level sensor 'A' signal dropping out or jumping erratically instead of changing smoothly as fuel is consumed or added. The PCM monitors the sensor voltage over time and flags the circuit as intermittent when the reading momentarily disappears or spikes outside the expected range.

SystemPowertrain

Code typeGeneric (all makes)

SeverityLow

Fix difficultyIntermediate

AreaAuxiliary emission controls

Symptoms you may notice

Fuel gauge needle swings, drops to empty, or jumps around while driving
Often no symptoms besides the warning light, especially if the fault is brief
Fuel gauge reads empty when the tank is actually full, or full when it is empty
Low fuel warning light illuminates at the wrong time or flickers
Distance-to-empty or fuel economy displays become inaccurate or blank
In some vehicles, remote start or fuel pump priming logic may be affected

Common causes, most likely first

Worn or dirty fuel level sensor contacts inside the fuel tank sending unit
Damaged or chafed wiring between the fuel tank and the chassis, often at flex points
Corroded or loose electrical connector at the fuel tank or fuel pump module
Failed fuel level sensor float or arm mechanism binding on the tank internals
Poor ground connection for the fuel level circuit
Faulty fuel pump module assembly with an integrated sensor
Rarely, a PCM internal fault on the fuel level input circuit

How to diagnose and fix it

Scan all modules and record freeze-frame data to see when the intermittent fault occurred
Inspect the fuel tank electrical connector and wiring for corrosion, chafing, or loose pins
Check the fuel level sensor signal voltage at the PCM while gently wiggling the harness
Remove the fuel pump module and inspect the sensor contacts and float arm for wear or debris
Compare sensor resistance or voltage through the full sweep of the float arm for dead spots
Repair or replace the faulty wiring, connector, or fuel level sending unit as needed
Clear the code and verify the fuel gauge reads correctly through a full tank cycle

What intermittent fuel gauge faults really mean

A P0464 is often set by a momentary glitch that leaves no current symptom, so the freeze-frame data is more valuable than the live gauge reading.
The fuel level sensor is usually part of the fuel pump module assembly, so a failed sensor often means replacing the whole module rather than a separate part.
Wiring chafe near the fuel tank or under the rear seat is a common missed cause, especially on vehicles with a body-on-frame design or recent suspension work.
A dirty sensor contact can test fine with a multimeter at rest but still drop out over bumps, so a road test with a live data logger is often needed.
This code does not always mean the sensor is bad; a poor ground or a weak connection at the PCM can produce the same intermittent signal.

Can I keep driving with P0464?

The vehicle remains safe to drive because the fuel level signal does not affect engine operation or safety systems, but you should track fuel manually until repaired to avoid running out of fuel unexpectedly. Avoid relying on the gauge or distance-to-empty display for refueling decisions.

Tools that help

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Guidance is general and written for all OBD-II vehicles. Exact tests and values vary by model, so confirm the fault before replacing parts.